Cover for a step

ABSTRACT

A cover for a step may include a pad placed upon the underside of the cover. The cover may affix to the beck end of the step via one or more fasteners directed along damps rotatably mounted to a back end of the cover. A catch may be employed which is permanently mounted to the back end of the step to catch an end of the cover. The catch may include a hinged cover to allow for temporary emplacement of the cover and may include a recess to capture a rod and a hinged cover to securing the rod. Temporary hook-and-loop fastener strip may be used to affix the front end of the cover over the step.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application includes subject matter disclosed in and claimspriority to prior filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/015,380,filed Feb. 4, 2016, entitled WRAPAROUND COVER FOR STEP, hereinincorporated by reference and describing inventions made by the presentinventor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to step covers and, more particularly, toan application of step cover to preexisting stationary steps or laddersteps.

2. Description of Related Prior Art

Numerous types of step covers have been used over the years. The mostcommon step cover is simply material, usually a rubber composition,which is attached to the top of a step by a mastic, brads, or the like.Such a cover may extend partially or fully along the top surface of thestep. Some step covers wrap partially around a step such that theopposed edges of the cover extend onto the sides or bottom of the stepand are attached by nails, brads, or a mastic. A potentially removablestep cover extends partially about each longitudinal edge of a step andpartially on to the bottom of the step. The opposing ends of the coverat the bottom of the step are latched with one another by cords or thelike penetrably engaging apertures along the edges of the cover underthe step.

The first two types of covers discussed above are usually permanently orat least semi-permanently attached to a step. This creates difficultieswhen the covers are to be replaced due to wear, damage or discoloration.The third type of cover is relatively easily removed but while inoperation the forces exerted by the cords, or other fastening systems,tend to cause a cover to pucker due to the non-uniform pulling forcesexerted by the engaged cords. This puckering renders these types ofcovers relatively unsightly. If the pucker extends to the top of thestep, a safety hazard exists as it may cause a user to trip. Where suchsteps are of metal, attachment on a permanent or semi-permanent basis ofa cover creates significant issues relating to attachment and covers areunlikely to be used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a wraparound cover for attachmentto a step or a seat that includes a cover extending across the step andhaving opposed ends foldable to the underside of the step. Thewraparound cover may include a first rod attached to a first end and asecond rod attached to a second end, with at least one hole formed ineach end adjacent to the rod(s).

An optional separable pad may be releasably coupled to an underside ofthe cover. The holes may be penetrated by a tie to draw the ends and/orrods toward one another to secure said wraparound cover about the step.The cover may include a separable pad is releasably coupled to theunderside of the cover via a hook and loop fastener around the ends,along an edge or over a majority of the underside surface.

The present invention is also directed to a cover or rug for a step thatextends across the top of the step with the longitudinal ends thereofextending along the front and back sides and may extend partially ontothe bottom of the step. A plurality of apertures is formed in the rearedge, and possibly the front edge, adjacent the corresponding optionalrod(s) along back and front. For a wraparound embodiment, the from andrear edges of the cover are drawn toward one another to secure the coverin place by conventional plastic tie wraps engaging pairs of holes inthe opposing ends of the cover. The tie wraps bear against therespective end rods and thereby exert a pulling force along the fulllength of each corresponding opposed end. By tightening the tie wraps,sufficient friction exists between the cover and the step to preventsliding movement of the cover along the step. Replacement of a cover isa simple matter of severing the tie wraps to disengage the old cover andremoving it. The replacement cover is secured in place with new tiewraps. Optionally, a lower pad may be replaced allowing recovery and/orreuse of the rug (and other components), and/or otherwise easemaintenance.

The present invention includes a step cover for mounting upon a step. Atop portion of the cover extends across the step with a first top endadapted to mount upon a step top surface, and a second bottom or frontend adapted to affix over a front end, lip, or convex corner of a step.A first rod may be attached to the top end with at least one hole formedadjacent to the rod to allow a connector to mate with the top end andaffix (temporarily or permanently) to a step. The front end may includea connection strip, such as a glue strip or hook-and-loop fastener toattach the front end to the step, over the lip, or on the back stopabove the next lower step. The connector may be a coupler, such as a C-or U-clamp adapted to hook around an exposed section of the rod. Theconnector may include an aperture to allow a fastener to pass therethrough and affix to the step surface. The connector may also include afeature mounted permanently onto the step, or back corner, making acatch to grab, or secure the rod. The catch may include a hinged door,and/or a recess to secure the rod and thereby cover.

The present invention also includes a system to mount a rug for coveringa step. The system includes a cover extending across a top of the step.The cover may include a rod disposed along a first top end of the rug.The system may include a catch mounted along the step. The catch wouldhave a recess adapted to receive at least a portion of the (exposed)rod, and a hinged cover adapted to retain the end within the catch. Thecatch may be mounted via a fastener along a step top and a backstop. Theangled fastener may be angled at forty-five degrees from the ground orstep plane, or range between thirty and sixty degrees. Alternatively,the angled fastener may be angled upward beyond ninety degrees from thestep plane to ensure the catch does not pop up. A downward fastener mayalso be used with or without the angled fastener and will be directeddownwardly into the step. This may be set perpendicular to the stepplane. An optional anchor may be installed, or used, under the step paneto allow the downward fastener to set into the anchor.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide adetachably attached cover that extends along the top, front side andwhere necessary, onto back side and the bottom of a step.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cover that wrapsalong the top and/or sides of a step and applying a uniform forceexerted along at least one end, if not both opposing ends, of the coverto draw them apart from one another to retain the cover in place and/orprevent puckering.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a wraparoundcover for a step having a rod disposed along a back end of the cover.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a catch tosecure a back end/rod along a step.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide areplaceable pad on the underside of a step cover.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a catch tosecurely mount a cover on a step.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a coverthat can be easily moved or removed for maintenance or cleaning.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a uniformforce extending along the length of the ends of a wraparound coverdisposed at the bottom of the step.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a method forsecuring an end of a cover to a step.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described with greater specificity andclarity with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionapplied to a floating step;

FIG. 2 illustrates the underside of the cover shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section 3-3 of FIG. 2 of a first embodimentof the present invention applied over and wrapped around a floatingstep;

FIG. 4 illustrates a corner section of the underside of the embodimentof the present invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present inventionapplied to a step;

FIG. 6 illustrates a close-up magnified view of the underside of covershown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the alternative embodiment shown inFIG. 5 applied to a step;

FIG. 8 illustrates a partially see-through perspective view of anembodiment of a catch along a step corner;

FIG. 9 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an alternative catchfastening to a step structure;

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the catch along with an embodiment ofthe present invention applied to a step;

FIG. 11A illustrates a catch of an embodiment of the present inventionalong the corner instep in the closed position;

FIG. 11B illustrates a catch of an embodiment of the present inventionalong the corner instep in the open position;

FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded cross-section of the catch embodimentshown in FIG. 11A; and

FIG. 13 illustrates a section of the embodiment of the invention shownin FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, there is illustrated a ladder 10 depicting astep 12 supported laterally by supports 17, 18, 19, and 20. As shown,ladder 10 may include step 12 with surface features 13 to provide forbetter grip and safety when climbing. These features 13 are well knownin the art and range from simple patterns to uplifted steel barbs. Step12 may include a rug or a wraparound cover 30, which is designed toprovide, a stable, comfortable, and removable grip surface for users ofthe ladder 10. Cover 30 may be constructed out of materials known fordurability, strength, water and slip resistance, and flexibility, theseinclude carpeting, rubber matting, woven matting, link matting, or othersuch material known in the art.

The underside 15 of step 12 with applied cover 30 is illustrated in FIG.2 and FIG. 4 in detail. Underside 15 illustrates the underside portionof step 12, which may or may not include both step 12 and features 13.Forward end 35 of cover 30 wraps around front edge 22 of step 12 andpreferably extends on to underside 15. Similarly, rear end 36 wrapsaround the rear edge 23 of step 12 and preferably extends to cover aportion of underside 15. Rod 44 may be disposed within a sleeve 43 onends 35 and 36, being an elongate shaft constructed of a material havingthe properties of rigidity and strength like steel, aluminum or thelike. Sleeve 43 may be attached to ends 35 or 36 and may be made fromend 35 or 36 material folded back on itself, and secured to form asleeve 43 or additional material attached to ends 35 or 36 to form asleeve, 43 as is known in the art. Apertures or holes 39 penetratesleeve 43 essentially adjacent to the location of rod 44, closer to edge22 or 23 of the step 12, than rod 44.

Cover 30 is retained in place by securing the opposing ends 35 and 36with one another, by maintaining tension force between end 35 and end36. To provide that tension, a tie 40 is preferably looped throughopposing holes 39, one hole 39 on end 35 and one hole 39 on end 36. Tie40 is preferably looped through each set of opposing holes 39. Tie 40,may be conventional zip ties, or may alternatively be rope ties, cord,bolt, rubber bands, chain, hook/and-loop lines, string, tape, magnets,or other like known in the art. Each tie 40 is drawn tightly to bringthe ends 35 and 36 toward one another. Ties 40 may include a single linewith two enlarged ends 41, or include a single loop tied through bothends and doubled-over. The forces exerted by ties 40 preferably bearupon respective rods 40 and not the cover 30 directly. Alternate rods44, being in their respective sleeves 43, translate the tension forceurged by ties 40 to essentially the full width of each end 35 or 36.Therefore, there is no concentration of forces, as would be if grommetsor the like were used and engaged with ties 40 or similar. Alternaterods 44 provide uniform tension along each end 35 or 36, allowing for anelimination of bunching or puckering of the cover 30. Furthermore, aseach tie 40 can be tightened to a selective degree, the cover 30 isfirmly and essentially immovably attached to step 12.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section of a cover 30 and its elementsattached to step 12. Pad 32 may be floating under undersurface 31 orotherwise attached to cover 30. Pad 32 is preferably attached to theundersurface 31 of cover 30 via hook-and-loop fasteners that provide forconvenient replacement of pad 32. Preferably, fasteners are locatedalong a strip, or strips, preferably parallel, to attach pad 32 to cover30. Pads 32 tend to wear considering the features 13 provided on eachstep 12, and therefore may need to be replaceable. Pad 32 may also beaffixed by gluing, or other fixing means known in the art. Pad 32minimizes the discomfort and tripping hazard of features 13. Pad 32allows for movement between pad 32 and cover 30 when a user steps onstep 12, the slight movement allowed prevents damage and wear to cover30. Pad 32 is constructed out of materials known for durability andability to resist stress such as waffle rubber, urethane foam, bondedurethane, flat rubber, fiber cushion, or other pads known in the art.Pad 32 may also include a fully-formed rug, including both backing andfacing, whereby pad facing provides contact to undersurface 31 orbacking of cover 30.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, and 13, illustrating layover cover 130,layover cover may be used in conjunction with ordinary step 110. Step110 being an ordinary step which may include; step top-surface 111, lip112, backstop 113, and riser 114. Layover cover 130 is designed to beused in conjunction with steps 110, where cover 30 would be impossibleor impractical to install, such as steps where risers connected to stepsdo not allow access for a wrap-around cover. Layover cover 130 may bewider or narrower than step 110 depending on the application and need ofthe user, in the preferred embodiment layover cover 130 would beslightly less narrow than the step top-surface 111, as shown in FIG. 5.Layover cover 130 has front end 134 and back end 135. In the preferredembodiment as shown in FIG. 5, front end 134 extends past steptop-surface 111, over lip 112, and hangs along backstop 113. FIG. 5 alsoillustrates the preferred position for back end 135, parallel to andadjacent to the riser 114.

Referring to FIG. 6, a small section of the underside of back end 135 ofthe layover cover 130 is illustrated. Rod 160 is disposed within apocket 138 applied along back end 135 of layover cover 130. Rod 160being an elongate shaft constructed of a material having the propertiesof rigidity and strength like steel, aluminum or the like. Pocket 138 isattached to end 135 and may be made from end 135 material folded back onitself and secured to form pocket 138 or additional material attached toend 135 to form a pocket 138. Apertures or holes 139 penetrate pocket138 allowing access to rod 160 when end 135 includes pocket 138. Thenumber of holes 139 would vary depending on the size of layover cover130 and expected usage. FIG. 5 illustrates four apertures along end 135,however this is only for illustration purposes.

Layover cover 130 is secured to step 110 at back end 135 by fixing theexposed portions 161 of rod 160 to the step top-surface, as illustratedin FIG. 13. A fastener, such as a nail, screw, or staple may be used topin the rod 160 at each exposed portion 161. In the preferredembodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6 a clamp 150 may fit over exposedsection 161. Clamp 150 may include a loose circumscribing fit over rodexposed section 161 to allow for clamp to rotate freely around rod 160.Front end 134 may be detached and rotated upwards, while back end 135remains fixed relative distance to step top-surface 111. By allowingclamp 150 to rotate, the layover cover 130 may be lifted for periodiccleaning of step, replacement of a pad (not shown), easier maintenance,replacement, etc. Clamp 150 may be constructed out of material known fordurability, strength, and toughness such as plastic, steel, aluminum,and the like. Clamp 150 may include an aperture 159 to allow for layover130 to be affixed to step 110 via fasteners 170 to top-side 111 of step110 or fasteners 170 may be used without an aperture 159 on clamp 150during installation fixing clamp 150 and layover cover to step 110.Fastener 170 may include a nail, bolt, catch, glue, or other fastenerknown in the art.

Turning to FIG. 7, an illustration of how front end 134 may be attachedto step 110. It may be desired to attached front end 134 to step 110 to,prevent tripping hazard, limit fraying on the end, and provide a moreaesthetic appearance. As described earlier, there is benefit in theuser's ability to quickly lift layover cover 130 for cleaning,replacement of a pad (not shown) easier maintenance, replacement, etc.Front end 134 of cover 130 may include an attachment strip 190 forpermanent or temporary placement along back stop 113. The attachmentstrip 190 may be located along underside of end 134 facing back stop 113and one of two corresponding components of a fastening system, while thecomplementary fastener, the second corresponding component of thefastening system is attached to the back stop 113 aligned withattachment strip 190. In the preferred embodiment attachment strip 190is one component of a hook-and-loop fastener system and complementaryfastener 191 is the corresponding side of the hook-and-loop system. Inother embodiments attachment strip 190 and complementary fastener 191may be complementary and opposed components of fastening systemsincluding, opposed magnetic clasps, snap fasteners, screw and nutassemblies, and the like.

A pad (not shown) may be placed underneath the layover cover 130 and maybe constructed out of materials known for durability and ability toresist stress such as waffle rubber, urethane foam, bonded urethane,flat rubber, fiber cushion, or other pads known in the art.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-12B, which illustrate a catch 200 designed tosecure a cover 230, described above as the layover cover 130. Catch 200is designed to be used as an alternate means for fixing cover 230 to astep 210, rather than a clamp or other fastener directly through cover.By using catch 200 the cover 230 may be lifted for periodic cleaning ofstep, replacement of a pad (not shown), easier maintenance, replacement,etc. similar to the benefits conferred by the use of clamp 150, howeverthe ease of replacement and interchangeability of covers 230 is greatlyincreased by the use of the catch 200. Catch 200 is fixed along a corner290 of the step 210 formed along the line intersection where a backstopsurface plane 212 meets a lower step top-surface plane 211. Catch 200captures a back end 235 of the cover 230 to the corner 290.

A first fastener 220 is preferably affixed diagonally, preferably closeto forty-five-degree angle, give or take thirty degrees, or may beaffixed as far as parallel with step top surface place 211. In anembodiment not shown, first fastener 220 may be directed upwardly intoback stop 212. A second fastener 221 preferably secures the case base201 to the step top-surface plane 211 and is preferably directlyperpendicular to step top surface 211. Fasteners 220 and 221 may includea bolt, nail, screw, or other fastener known the art. An optional anchor240, preferably made of a solid and more substantive material than step,may be affixed in the step to provide either fastener 220 or 221 to geta better grip, or otherwise to protect the step material. FIG. 12illustrates where fasteners 220 and 221 connect to catch 200. Fastener220 preferably attaches to catch 200 using a pre-chilled hole, cornerfastener shaft 225. Fastener 221 preferably attaches to catch 200 usinga pre-drilled hole, base fastener shaft 224. FIG. 9 illustrates analternative arrangement of the anchors 240 and fasteners 220 and 221securing the catch 200 to the step 210.

Catch 200 preferably includes a hinged cover 270 mating at a hingefulcrum 271 with a catch base 201. The hinged cover 270 as shown inFIGS. 11A and 12 is in the ‘closed’ position and as shown in FIG. 11B inthe ‘open’ position. The secured catch 200 may be used to attach cover230 to step 210. Catch base 201 includes a recess 260 where a rodsection 261, the same rod exposed section 161 described above withreference to FIGS. 5-7, of step cover 230 may be captured and secured incatch 200 to emplace step cover along step 210. Cover 270 is opened upto allow for rod section 161 to be emplaced within catch 200 and held,preferably in recess 260. Hinged cover 270 is then closed, thus trappingrod within recess 270 of catch 200 to affix the cover upon the step.

In the preferred embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 10 there may bemultiple catches 200 used to secure the cover 200, preferably one placedat every aperture (not shown for cover 230), although a single catch 200may be sufficient depending on the needs of the user.

I claim:
 1. A wraparound cover for attachment to a step or a seat, saidwraparound cover comprising: (a) a cover extending across the step, saidcover and having first end and second end, said first and second endsopposed one another, said cover foldable to an underside of the step;(b) a first rod fixed in said first end; (c) a second rod fixed in saidsecond end; (d) at least one hole formed in said first end adjacent saidfirst rod; (e) at least one further hole formed in said second endadjacent said second rod; and (f) means for coupling said first andsecond ends to one another.
 2. The wraparound cover as set in claim 1further comprising a separable pad releasably coupled to an underside ofsaid cover.
 3. The wraparound cover as set forth in claim 2 wherein saidseparable pad is releasably coupled to said underside via a hook andloop fastener.
 4. A wraparound cover as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid means for coupling comprises conventional tie wraps.
 5. Thewraparound cover as set forth in claim 1 further comprising: (h) meansfor penetrating said hole and said further hole for drawing said firstand second rods toward one another to secure the wraparound cover aboutthe step.
 6. A wraparound cover as set forth in claim 5 wherein saidpenetrating means comprises conventional tie wraps.
 7. A wraparoundcover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first end comprises a foldedend to create a sleeve adapted to receive said first rod, and second endcomprises a folded end to create a sleeve adapted to receive said secondrod.
 8. A step cover for mounting upon a step, said step covercomprising: (a) a cover extending across said step, and having a firsttop end adapted to mount upon a step top surface, and a second endadapted to affix over a front end of a step; (b) a first rod coupled tosaid first top end; (c) at least one aperture formed in said first endadjacent said first rod; and (d) at least one connector adapted to fitover said first rod and couple said first top end with said step.
 9. Thestep cover of claim 8 wherein said at least one connector comprises acoupler adapted to hook around an exposed section of said first rodalong said at least one hole.
 10. The step cover of claim 9 wherein saidconnector comprises at least one aperture adapted to receive a fastener,said fastener adapted to mount said step cover to the step.
 11. The stepcover of claim 8 further comprising a cover bottom surface comprisingfastening means for attaching to a backstop.
 12. The step cover of claim8 wherein said at least one connector comprises a catch mounted on saidstep, said catch adapted to couple with said first rod.
 13. The stepcover of claim 12 wherein said catch comprises a recess fur receiving atleast a portion of said first rod.
 14. The step cover of claim 12wherein said catch comprises a hinged cover adapted to cover at least aportion of said first rod when said hinged cover is closed.
 15. The stepcover of claim 8 wherein said at least one connector comprises a clampset about at least a portion of said first rod.
 16. The step cover ofclaim 8 further comprising at least one connection strip attached alongsaid second end adapted to mate with at least a portion of a step tosecure said second end to said step.
 17. A system to mount a rug forcovering a step, said system comprising: (a) a cover extending across atop of the step; (b) a rod disposed along a first top end of the rug;(c) a catch mounted along the step, said catch comprising: a recessadapted to receive at least a portion of said rod; and a hinged coveradapted to retain said at least portion within said catch.
 18. Thesystem of claim 17 wherein said catch is mounted via a fastener along astep top and a backstop.
 19. The system of claim 17 wherein said catchcomprises a downward fastener directed downwardly into the stepperpendicular to a step plane.
 20. The system of claim 19 furthercomprising an anchor mounted below the step adapted to receive saiddownward fastener.